Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Tim Masters Freed after DNA Testing

CNN reports on the good news for Tim Masters. Ten years after his murder conviction DNA testing proved his innocence. He's now suing everyone in sight and who can blame him?

The first person released from prison in Colorado because of DNA evidence is suing police and prosecutors who worked to put him behind bars.

Lawyers for Tim Masters filed suit in federal court Tuesday, claiming hundreds of documents and expert opinions that pointed toward his innocence in a murder case were withheld from his lawyers.

Of course, I don't know the whole story, but it sure sounds like another case of over-zealous cops and prosecutors. This man was convicted of killing someone when he was 15 years old, but that conviction took place 12 years after the fact. I guess there's a whole story there. He's been in jail for ten years now and sure doesn't look his age. I hope he gets millions.

The case is a bit complicated though. Besides the DNA questions which I presume were only resolved recently, there were serious procedural inconsistencies. What about those former prosecutors who are now judges? What should happen to them? Is what they did considered a "white collar crime?" It's certainly wasn't a victimless one, which is some prople's criterion for no jail time.

What's your opinion? Should a guy like Masters get rich now in a civil law suit? Should the former prosecutors go to jail? What do you think?

2 comments:

I caught the 12 years between crime and conviction angle also...so much for a speedy trial -- what was that pesky amendment...the 6th?

I think if there is simple negligence a criminal shouldn't get rich from law suits. Most states have a compensation law for those wrongly convicted. Is that enough, I don't know but I do know it can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This case seems like more then simple negligence; someone refused to turn over evidence. The fact that the prosecutors went on to become judges should scare everyone into buying firearms.

What do you think should happen, shouldn't they just have to pay restitution? I mean couldn't they just work it off? Judges have to make a lot of money, let's keep this liars on the bench so they can earn money to pay Mr. Masters.

Personally, I think a long sentence in place where they are willing to lie & break the law to send people might do them some good. If nothing else, it might make other prosecutors think before committing crimes.